Article
Food Science & Technology
Jiaxin Li, Lin Wang, Masayo Kotaka, Marianne M. Lee, Michael K. Chan
Summary: The structure of Cry5B, a pore-forming protein produced by soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, has been investigated. Compared to the previous reported structure, the new structure showed a different quaternary structure and a change in the conformation of residues related to the N-terminal extension. The study also suggested a role for the N-terminal extension, and identified the importance of an aromatic or bulky group at residue 495 for Cry5B toxicity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuxia Peng, Robert L. Matts, Junpeng Deng
Summary: The 90-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90) plays a vital role in cancer, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. The equilibrium between Hsp90 dimers and oligomers is crucial for its function. In the presence of ATP, Hsp90 dimers act as foldases for client folding. W320 serves as a key switch for regulating Hsp90 self-oligomerization and client protein binding.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hyun Ji Ha, Ju Hyeong Kim, Gwan Hee Lee, Subin Kim, Hyun Ho Park
Summary: IRGB10, an interferon-inducible GTPase, plays a crucial role in host defense mechanisms by disrupting pathogenic membranes. However, the molecular mechanism behind IRGB10-mediated microbial membrane disruption is still unclear. In this study, we determined the structures of IRGB10 in nucleotide-free and GppNHp-bound forms and found that it exists as a monomer in both states. We also demonstrated that GTP hydrolysis is necessary for dimer formation and oligomerization of IRGB10. Based on these findings, we proposed a mechanistic model for the working mechanism of IRGB10 during pathogen membrane disruption.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiang Shi, Pierre-Antoine Albouy, Pascale Launois
Summary: This study presents a different view that the evolution of X-ray patterns reflects changes in crystalline texture rather than polymorphism. This enables a quantitative description of X-ray fiber patterns but also highlights some fundamental structural issues.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Orly Avraham, Edward A. Bayer, Oded Livnah
Summary: The optimization of protein functions by nature involves a complex evolutionary process, with intramolecular recognition among monomers playing a key role in generating higher-order quaternary arrangements. The discovery of a new subfamily of dimeric avidins, exemplified by wilavidin forming hexamers with six high-affinity binding sites, highlights the importance of specific structural segments in maintaining protein complexes. Utilization of hexavalent biotin-binding forms of avidins could expand the biotechnological toolbox, while the propensity of this unique dimeric avidin family to oligomerize into hexamers or octamers offers insights into protein oligomerization and molecular assembly mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pawan Dahal, Eunju Kwon, Deepak Pathak, Dong Young Kim
Summary: CONSTANS is a protein that regulates photoperiodic flowering by promoting the expression of Flowering Locus T in response to day length. The crystal structure of the B-box domain in Arabidopsis CONSTANS reveals its unique structure compared to animal B-boxes at both the monomer and dimer level.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jiajun Fu, Fengjiao Hu, Tengfei Ma, Wen-Jie Zhao, Han Tian, Yan Zhang, Manli Hu, Junjie Zhou, Yanfang Zhang, Chongshu Jian, Yan-Xiao Ji, Xiao-Jing Zhang, Jingwei Jiang, Zhi-Gang She, Xu Cheng, Peng Zhang, Lan Bai, Juan Yang, Hongliang Li
Summary: Although the prevalence of NAFLD has increased to 25% of the adult population worldwide, there are currently no approved pharmacological interventions due to uncertainty about the underlying molecular mechanisms. It has been found that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the development of NAFLD. The mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) has been identified as protective against diet-induced NAFLD, with its deficiency leading to extensive mitochondrial dysfunction. This suggests that targeting MAVS could be a potential avenue for treating NAFLD.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhitao Yang, Jiajing Zeng, Zhao Yang, Yizhang Tong, Yangen Lai, Xianwu Cao
Summary: This paper investigates the production of LCP film using a blow molding device and the effect of annular shear flow on its orientation structure and mechanical properties. The results show the formation of self-reinforcing fibers and fiber cross structure in the LCP film under the synergistic effect of annular shear flow field and axial extrusion. By adjusting the rotational speed, LCP film with uniform orientation degree and mechanical properties can be obtained.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mate Hegedus, Viktoria K. Kis, Abel Szabo, Ivett Kovacs, Noemi Rozsa, Zsolt Kovacs
Summary: The exceptional mechanical performance and durability of dental enamel can be attributed to its unique hierarchical structure and oriented prisms. This study quantified the orientation of enamel prisms using scanning electron microscopy, and revealed the influence of anisotropic gradient behavior on the elastic modulus of enamel.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marwa Amer, Oneda Leka, Piotr Jasko, Daniel Frey, Xiaodan Li, Richard A. Kammerer
Summary: The study aims to create a new GPCR tool that provides receptor stability and additional soluble surface for crystallization. The researchers selected the two-stranded antiparallel coiled coil as a domain fold and used it to replace the intracellular loop 3 of the β3 adrenergic receptor. They demonstrated that this approach is generally suitable for stabilizing GPCRs and has the potential to be used for structure elucidation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juana Bana, Jessica Warwar, Edward A. Bayer, Oded Livnah
Summary: The dimeric avidin family has expanded to include new members, all lacking intermonomeric Trp but maintaining high affinity for biotin. They also show cylindrical oligomerization in crystal structure. Agroavidin, a new member from Rhizobium sp. AAP43, shares these properties but has lower biotin affinity due to a phenylalanine substitution. Agroavidin also differs from other dimeric avidins in its inability to produce oligomers, which is influenced by the C-terminal region.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Piotr Gerlach, William Garland, Mahesh Lingaraju, Anna Salerno-Kochan, Fabien Bonneau, Jerome Basquin, Torben Heick Jensen, Elena Conti
Summary: This study elucidates the structure of the human NEXT complex, revealing that it exists as a dimer of MTR4-ZCCHC8-RBM7 heterotrimers. The study also unravels the structural and molecular mechanisms of RNA substrate guidance to the exosome in the inactive state of the complex.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
A. Nych, R. Kravchuk, U. Ognysta, M. Ledney, O. Yaroshchuk
Summary: The study investigates the orientational configurations of thermotropic nematic liquid crystal in cylindrical capillaries with nondegenerated planar surface anchoring. By applying photoaligning coating on the inner wall of the capillary treated with UV light, different twisted structures can be achieved, from axial alignment with zero twist to 180 degrees-twisted configuration. Optical ray tracing calculations reveal the UV light intensity and polarization distribution over the inner capillary surface, providing valuable insights into liquid crystal behavior.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Subham Ranjan, Meguya Ryu, Ryota Morioka, Shuji Kamegaki, Soon Hock Ng, Daniel Smith, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Mark J. Tobin, Saulius Juodkazis, Junko Morikawa, Satoshi Takamizawa
Summary: A unique scissor-like two-directional ferroelastic deformation was achieved in organic crystals, shedding light on the understanding of multidirectional deformations in organic compounds. The study also revealed a correlation between the anisotropic structural arrangement and the difference in thermal diffusivity and mechanical behavior.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eugenio Ferrario, Riccardo Miggiano, Menico Rizzi, Davide M. Ferraris
Summary: Computational methods, such as AlphaFold, have improved protein structure prediction. In this study, we combined AlphaFold with crystal structures to investigate the structure of a previously unreported enzyme. We identified a functionally important structural element that was missing in the AlphaFold model but present in the crystal structure. We were able to reconstruct the protein oligomer using computational approaches and successfully solve the protein structure by phasing the diffraction data with the AlphaFold model. This work demonstrates the integration of AlphaFold with experimental data and its significance in protein analysis, crystallographic phasing, and structure solution.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vincent Chaptal, Arnaud Kilburg, David Flot, Benjamin Wiseman, Nushin Aghajari, Jean-Michel Jault, Pierre Falson
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shweta Nim, Lucia Gonzalez Lobato, Alexis Moreno, Vincent Chaptal, Manpreet Kaur Rawal, Pierre Falson, Rajendra Prasad
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Denis Lacabanne, Alons Lends, Clement Danis, Britta Kunert, Marie-Laure Fogeron, Vlastimil Jirasko, Claire Chuilon, Lauriane Lecoq, Cedric Orelle, Vincent Chaptal, Pierre Falson, Jean-Michel Jault, Beat H. Meier, Anja Bockmann
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xavier Robert, Josiane Kassis-Sahyoun, Nicoletta Ceres, Juliette Martin, Michael R. Sawaya, Randy J. Read, Patrice Gouet, Pierre Falson, Vincent Chaptal
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2017)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kim-Anh Nguyen, Marine Peuchmaur, Sandrine Magnard, Romain Haudecoeur, Cedric Boyere, Saravanan Mounien, Ikram Benammar, Veronica Zampieri, Sebastien Igonet, Vincent Chaptal, Anass Jawhari, Ahcene Boumendjel, Pierre Falson
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vincent Chaptal, Frederic Delolme, Arnaud Kilburg, Sandrine Magnard, Cedric Montigny, Martin Picard, Charlene Prier, Luca Monticelli, Olivier Bornert, Morgane Agez, Stephanie Ravaud, Cedric Orelle, Renaud Wagner, Anass Jawhari, Isabelle Broutin, Eva Pebay-Peyroula, Jean-Michel Jault, H. Ronald Kaback, Marc le Maire, Pierre Falson
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachad Nasr, Doriane Lorendeau, Ruttiros Khonkarn, Lauriane Dury, Basile Peres, Ahcene Boumendjel, Jean-Claude Cortay, Pierre Falson, Vincent Chaptal, Helene Baubichon-Cortay
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronica Zampieri, Cecile Hilpert, Melanie Garnier, Yannick Gestin, Sebastien Delolme, Juliette Martin, Pierre Falson, Guillaume Launay, Vincent Chaptal
Summary: The Det.Belt server allows researchers to visually represent membrane proteins wrapped by detergents in 3D, aiding in a better understanding of the interaction between the sample and its environment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronica Zampieri, Alexia Gobet, Xavier Robert, Pierre Falson, Vincent Chaptal
Summary: Researchers have found that amphipathic belts surrounding membrane proteins can be visualized in 3D reconstructions using cryo-EM, and the nature of the amphipathic compound does not influence the size of the belt. These observations illustrate that the observed belt corresponds to the minimum ordered layer around membrane proteins in 3D reconstructions.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vincent Chaptal, Veronica Zampieri, Benjamin Wiseman, Cedric Orelle, Juliette Martin, Kim-Anh Nguyen, Alexia Gobet, Margot Di Cesare, Sandrine Magnard, Waqas Javed, Jad Eid, Arnaud Kilburg, Marine Peuchmaur, Julien Marcoux, Luca Monticelli, Martin Hogbom, Guy Schoehn, Jean-Michel Jault, Ahcene Boumendjel, Pierre Falson
Summary: This study resolved three outward-facing conformations of BmrA, a multidrug ABC transporter, using x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. It was found that two R6G molecules bind to the drug-binding cavity, inducing a rearrangement of TM1-2 and highlighting local flexibility. Simulations showed that in the absence of R6G, the cavity quickly closed after drug release, while in the presence of R6G, the cavity remained open.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexia Gobet, Veronica Zampieri, Sandrine Magnard, Eva Pebay-Peyroula, Pierre Falson, Vincent Chaptal
Summary: Concentration of pure membrane proteins in detergent solution leads to an increase in detergent concentration, the exact amount of which is unknown. Although commonly observed in membrane protein research labs, this phenomenon has been rarely investigated. In this study, we examined the behavior of detergents mixed with membrane proteins during sample concentration using centrifugal devices. We found that the presence of polymers, including membrane or soluble proteins and polysaccharides, results in detergent over-concentration. The degree of detergent over-concentration depends on the centrifugal force applied. By using a specific dye, we observed the formation of a mesh on the concentrator device. Importantly, reducing the centrifugal speed helps decrease the detergent concentration when mixed with macromolecules, as demonstrated with three different membrane proteins. Overall, these findings highlight the non-Newtonian behavior of detergents and provide a valuable framework for improving biochemical and structural studies of membrane proteins.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juliette Martin, Xavier Robert, Patrice Gouet, Pierre Falson, Vincent Chaptal
Summary: This article investigates the impact of diffraction anisotropy on membrane proteins and finds that there is no single correlation between anisotropy and resolution limits. It also discovers a peak at 4.9 angstrom resolution in membrane proteins, which is correlated with the collinearity of secondary structures. Furthermore, it shows that the presence of this peak is linked to higher diffraction anisotropy.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xavier Robert, Josiane Kassis-Sahyoun, Nicoletta Ceres, Juliette Martin, Michael R. Sawaya, Randy J. Read, Patrice Gouet, Pierre Falson, Vincent Chaptal
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pratima Baghel, Manpreet Kaur Rawal, Mohammad Firoz Khan, Sobhan Sen, Mohammed Haris Siddiqui, Vincent Chaptal, Pierre Falson, Rajendra Prasad
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vincent Chaptal, Arnaud Kilburg, David Flot, Benjamin Wiseman, Nushin Aghajari, Jean-Michel Jault, Pierre Falson